Kevin Garnett was awestruck before Friday's game when he was shown the photo of Roman Sweeney in Thursday's Telegram & Gazette and informed that the senior at Fitchburg's North Central Charter School has sunk at least three 3-pointers for his team despite being born without any legs and only one arm.

“Amazing, amazing. He has more 3s than I have,” said the Celtics' forward, who hadn't made any 3-pointers entering Friday's game against Houston. “That's amazing. Things like that are simply amazing. I have no words for that. That's truly amazing to me.”

Sweeney, 19, of Orange, plays on titanium legs and holds the ball in his right hand while balancing it against the stump on his short left arm. Then he heaves it toward the basket.

Sweeney played baseball for North Central Charter last spring and has climbed Mount Monadnock on a school trip, but didn't play basketball until this year because his mother was concerned that he couldn't brace himself with only one arm if he fell. So he learned how to fall and tried out for the team this year.

“That's true determination,” Garnett said. “That's someone who really loves basketball, loves the game and living life. That's truly inspirational right there.”

Basketball is Sweeney's favorite sport, and the Celtics are his favorite team. Garnett was touched when informed that he was Sweeney's favorite player.

“Out of all the players in this league, that's truly something,” Garnett said. “I'm more than honored. For what reason, I have no idea. It's flattering, man. It's flattering.”

Celtics coach Doc Rivers also used the word “amazing” when told Sweeney's story and shown his photo.

“It's an amazing story,” Rivers said. “What I love about the story is I'm sure a million times in this case, he was probably was told he shouldn't or couldn't, and he did.

“People who do that kind of stuff and are successful had to listen to something inside their own heads and not pay attention to anyone else, and that makes them special.”

Rivers said Sweeney's determination should inspire every basketball player, including the Celtics.

“Think about how bad he wanted to play basketball,” Rivers said. “Think about when we have a practice and guys are moping around, and this kid, he's willing to learn how to fall first so he can take a shot. That's cool.”

Rivers appreciated the fact that the Celtics are Sweeney's favorite team.

“That makes him a smart kid, too,” Rivers said.

Rivers was also glad to hear that Garnett was Sweeney's favorite player.

“Kevin is an inspiring guy to watch,” Rivers said. “The kid has high IQ. Clearly, he's a smart kid. He picked the right guy, and it's a great story.”

Pregame hallway chatter

The Celtics have closed their locker room to the media before games to reduce crowding, but agreed to make every player available to speak in the hallway. Garnett spoke before a game Friday for what he said was the first time since his rookie season with Minnesota in 1995-96. “Played like crap,” Garnett recalled, “and the next time, (Minnesota teammate) Terry Porter told me to never do interviews again, and I had never done an interview again. Here, we're trying something out, so this is for the betterment of the team, so I'm hoping this will work.”

Fab Melo has recovered from the concussion he suffered when he walked into a doorway, and has returned to Maine.

“He needs to get back to play,” Rivers said. “He's got to watch the doorways and all that kind of stuff, but he needs to get back to play.”

Rivers expects Chris Wilcox, who hasn't played since Dec. 18 because of a sprained right thumb, to wear his plastic cast when he returns soon.

“I had a similar injury,” Rivers said, “and I didn't (have a cast) go very well. I joked with him about that. So I think he'll have to play with it.”

Contact Bill Doyle at wdoyle@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillDoyle15.

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